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COCO-NUT PROSPECTS IN MEXICO. 



THOSE who know Mexico, especially the 

 Oaxacan Valleys, or down Tehuantepec way, 

 and the lands of Tabasco and Chiapas, have 

 always been puzzled as to why these fertile 

 terrains have received such scant consideration 

 at the hands of the Mexican authorities. In- 

 vestors have hitherto confined their attention 

 to minerals rather than to agriculture, and 

 until quite recently even the authorities have 

 made but little attempt to encourage farmers 

 and landowners to develop agricultural indus- 

 tries. But powerful friends to legitimate 

 exploiters of her lands are now said to be in 

 the ascendancy in Mexico, chief of whom is the 

 present Minister of Fomento, Senor F. L. 

 Hernandez, who, commenting on a communica- 

 tion of Mr. Alfred de Berry as to coco- nut 

 planting in Mexico, writes as follows : " The 

 States you mention (Chiapas and Tabasco) 

 are singularly blessed by nature for such exten- 

 sive cultivation as you have in view coco- 

 nuts and bananas the Department will do all 

 it can to assist, etc." It may be generally 

 accepted that the time has come when the 

 planters may count upon the active sympathy, 

 support, and protection of the Mexican Govern- 



